9 to 5: The Musical – State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, as reviewed by Alex First
July 17, 2022 by Alex First
9 to 5 The Musical is energetic, sassy and colourful. Read more
Behind the scenes: La traviata assistant director Warwick Doddrell
July 15, 2022 by Murray Dahm
Opera Australia assistant director for the La traviata season Warwick Doddrell was first bitten by the theatre bug in the 1990s watching the Essgee Entertainment productions of Gilbert & Sullivan show starring Jon English (The Pirates of Penzance (1994), The Mikado (1995) and H.M.S. Pinafore (1997). Read more
Secrets: a theatre review from Melbourne by Alex First
July 13, 2022 by Alex First
Just how good are you at keeping secrets? Read more
Compartment No 6: a movie review by Alex First
July 11, 2022 by Alex First
We’re in Moscow in 1996. Read more
Sundown: a movie review by Alex First
July 8, 2022 by Alex First
An intelligent, slow-burn movie in which little appears to happen for a long time and much remains unsaid, thereafter the shocks come. Read more
Stacey Alleaume magnificent in classic Traviata triumph
July 8, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
If Giuseppe Verdi is indeed the greatest opera composer (which I certainly think he is ) then among his many great compositions La Traviata must surely be close to the very top…writes Victor Grynberg. Read more
A Little Lunch Music: a music review by Alan Slade
July 7, 2022 by Alan Slade
“A Little Lunch Music” is a series of 6 concerts in Sydney’s iconic Recital Hall, whose interior is modelled on Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and which is acknowledged to have among the best acoustics in the world. Read more
The Amateurs: a theatre review by Alex First
July 4, 2022 by Alex First
One of the most bizarre plays I have seen, The Amateurs at Melbourne’s Red Stitch Theatre is a tragicomedy from 2015 American Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison. This is its Australian premiere. Read more
Madama Butterfly: an opera review by Victor Grynberg
July 3, 2022 by Victor Grynberg
Bravo Opera Australia, which once more has given us an unforgettable evening. Read more
Come Rain or Come Shine: a theatre review by Alex First
June 30, 2022 by Alex First
Come Rain or Come Shine is a charming, funny and smart romantic musical comedy, which unfolds over nearly three decades. Read more
Murray Dahm talks to Madama Butterfly star Virgilio Marino
June 29, 2022 by Murray Dahm
The character of Goro in Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly is essential to the opera’s drama. Read more
Passing Strange (Antipodes Theatre Company) at Meat Market Stables, as reviewed by Alex First
June 28, 2022 by Alex First
A dynamic score characterises a coming-of-age story. Read more
Six at the Comedy Theatre, as reviewed by Alex First
June 27, 2022 by Alex First
A contemporary interpretation of the dastardly deeds of King Henry VIII, Six rocks. Its pop vibe is a sure-fire winner. Read more
Minions: The Rise of Gru – a movie review by Alex First
June 26, 2022 by Alex First
Minions: The Rise of Gru is an origin story and an ode to the music of the ‘70s. Read more
Elvis: a movie review by Alex First
June 22, 2022 by Alex First
Elvis lives. Well, not quite. But Baz Luhrmann has breathed new life into the legend and aura surrounding the consummate performer, the best-selling solo recording artist of all time. Read more
Harlequinade: a ballet review by Alex First (State Theatre, Melbourne)
June 20, 2022 by Alex First
Love is in the air, but there are those who have other ideas. Read more
The Picture of Dorian Gray: a theatre review by Alex First
June 9, 2022 by Alex First
The Picture of Dorian Gray at Melbourne’s Arts Centre is an extraordinary triumph of talent and theatricality. Read more
Some familiar, some unfamiliar: Music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
June 2, 2022 by Fraser Beath McEwing
They were presented in equal quantities at last night’s concert. Read more
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: a theatre review from Alex First
May 27, 2022 by Alex First
So, you think you know the Cinderella story – the one about the poor “servant” to the evil stepmother and her taunting stepsisters? Read more
Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland: A book review by Joanne McFall
Comprising of forty-four traditional folk tales associated with varying regions in Britain and Ireland, Liz Berg’s Jewish Folk Tales in Britain and Ireland is essential reading for fans of this genre. Read more
Driftwood: The Musical – a theatre review by Alex First
May 23, 2022 by Alex First
Driftwood: The Musical is a heart-wrenching and inspiring piece of musical theatre, reflecting a dark period of history that changed and destroyed the lives of millions. Read more
Top Gun: Maverick – a movie review by Alex First
May 22, 2022 by Alex First
Top Gun: Maverick is everything I wanted and more from a sequel 36 years on. Read more
Lohengrin: an opera review by Alex First
May 17, 2022 by Alex First
Treachery and subterfuge abound in the Australian premiere of a new production of Richard Wagner’s otherworldly romance Lohengrin at the State Theatre, Arts Centre in Melbourne. Read more
An American in Paris: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Once you learn that Robbie Fairchild was a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet you can understand why he glides so effortlessly across the stage in a stellar display as the centrepiece of An American in Paris. Read more
Girl from the North Country: a theatre review by Alex First
May 15, 2022 by Alex First
Set during the Great Depression, Girl from the North Country is a brilliantly conceived and executed theatrical production, featuring the music and lyrics of Bob Dylan. Read more
Murray Dahm talks with opera star Daniel Sumegi
May 13, 2022 by Murray Dahm
Daniel Sumegi’s rich, mellifluous bass voice booms across even over a Zoom call. Daniel admitted that he is probably more of a bass-baritone these days although he “still has all the (bass) notes” and he is singing the bass role of Heinrich der Vogler (Henry the Fowler) in Opera Australia’s upcoming production of Wagner’s 1850 masterpiece ‘fantastical romance’ Lohengrin. Read more
La Traviata: an opera review by Alex First
May 10, 2022 by Alex First
Soprano Stacey Alleaume is almost ethereal in a scintillating performance as Violetta Valery in Giuseppe Verdi’s fraught, emotion-charged, love story La Traviata (which translates to The Fallen Woman). Read more
Two mighty trees and a sapling: a music review by Fraser Beath McEwing
May 5, 2022 by Fraser Beath McEwing
Two mighty trees and a sapling: that summarised the SSO’s program last night in the Sydney Town Hall. Read more
The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson – a movie review by Alex First
May 4, 2022 by Alex First
Magnificently shot, The Drover’s Wife is a story of hardship concerning a woman living in the Australian bush trying her best to raise four young children. Read more
The Heartbreak Choir: a theatre review by Alex First
May 2, 2022 by Alex First
A delightful, poignant, funny, uplifting play with music, The Heartbreak Choir charms its way into our hearts. Read more
